PJ's Prayer Line: Jars of Clay

Good Evening to All!

Today's Seed: "Then the man brought me by way of the north gate to the front of the temple. I looked and saw the glory of the Lord filling the temple of the Lord, and I fell facedown."
Ezekiel 44:4

What an awesome sight--the temple shining with the glory of God! This seed is part of Ezekiel's vision about the future. It describes the return of God's glory to the temple. The Lord is standing next to Ezekiel as he looks back at the temple. The glory of God is so intense that the temple is aglow with it even though the Lord is now standing outside.

Ezekiel saw the marvelous glory of God coming from the east gate and completely filling the temple. God's glory actually caused the entire land to radiate. In addition, it sounded like rushing water.

God is so wonderful that whatever he touches glows. God is so strong that his power makes noise. And God is so holy that when humans come face-to-face with him , we have only one response: to fall facedown like Ezekiel did and worship Him. Our human eyes are not able to look at God's full glory because we ae sinful. The brilliant light known as God's glory is a symbol of his awesome holiness.

Ezekiel wasn't the only Bible character to see God's shekinah glory. In Exodus we read that the Lord allowed his goodness to pass in front of Moses. When Moses came down from the mountain, his face was radiant (Exodus 34:19-20,,29). God is so holy that all who see his glory and goodness shine. Talk about leaving an impression! What kind of impression do you leave on those you encounter?

Dig Deeper: Shekinah is Hebrew is for "that which dwells." It is a term used to indicated the special or visible presence of God. god expressed his presence in a cloudy, fiery pillar when he led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. These visible manifestations have been called God's "shekinah presence" or "shekinah glory."

Background Bulb: Not since the destruction of Jerusalem during the third Babylonian invasion in 586 B.C. had God's glory been present among his people. Ezekiel's vision made it clear that God's glory would return after Israel was cleansed and after the new temple had been contructed following the discipline of the end times.

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Sprout & Scatter: As representatives of God, we should clothe ourselves in goodness, compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. And although only God is holy in essence, we have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us to enable us to be an expression of his character. By living a life that reflects the essential nature of God, the believer both glorifies the Lord and serves as a beacon to others. When God's holiness and glory shines through us, those we meet are attracted to the light and drawn to Christ.

I have read this devotional over several times, and every time I do, my mind starts wandering and my imagination starts working over-time wondering if this is what it's going to be like in heaven. The Bible states that there is going to be no need for the sun or the moon, because God's glory is all the light that will be needed in heaven and it will shine as bright or brighter than daylight. (Paraphrased). That sounds amazing to me.

As I am one of those people whose moods depend on the season and the weather, I look expectantly to the days when there will be bright days forever. I wonder if God's glory is the reason for no more pain, no more sadness, sorrow or sickness. Just time filled with a feeling of happiness and love.

Think about it: What are some possible results of seeing God's glory?

What things might be keeping you from shining with God's glory?

Prayer Pot: Lord, Your glory is too bright for me to see completely. Help
me to... (Insert your own request.)

Take-Away Idea: God's glory is so awesome it overpowers the darkness.